Hike of the Month

Fossil Springs
Hike Length: / 8 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: / Moderate (Hike out is all uphill)
Hiking Time: / 2 hours in, 3 to 4 hours out.
Elevation Gain: / 1,400 Ft
Highlights: / Several swimming holes, a waterfall (from the old dam), and wild blackberries in season.

Trail Head:

Take Hwy 87 north from Phoenix through Payson to Strawberry. Fossil Springs Rd is well marked and the Strawberry Lodge is on the corner. Turn left on Fossil Springs Rd and proceed about 5 miles. There is a sign for the trail head that is fairly visible. Turn right onto the parking lot road.

Notes:

This hike can be done as an overnight or day hike. Cubs could do this hike, but keep in mind that it would be 8 miles round trip. Some units hike in at night though there is a steep section that would be difficult. There are a couple of places to camp along the trail if you want to go part way. Camping is not suggested at the Trailhead, though could be done. The lower parking area also has a camping area.

Water is the big issue. There is no water on the upper trail and it is recommended that you take along a gallon of water per person. There is plenty of water at the creek, but it is recommended that you filter this water.

Pros:

Nice views along the trail. The creek has several swimming holes. Many have a rope swing or places to jump from (Safe Swim Defense rules apply). There is lots of shade along the creek. The wild blackberries are nice in Season (Summer time). Did I mention the swimming holes.

Cons:

It is often crowded. Lots of college kids like this spot (alcohol abounds at times). It can be very hot along the trail, especially in the summer. The hike back up is pretty strenuous. I would have at least 3 to 4 quarts of water for the hike up.

Notes:

There is another way in from the bottom of the canyon. Day hikers often use this route. One can hike the 3 ½ miles up the creek bed, though this is not recommended. There is a formal trail that follows the old Flume road. As of 2007 this route was closed while they are removing the old Flume. This lower route is described in the information available below.

The Old Flume trail seems rather inviting. After all its only a 400 foot climb from the parking lot to the Dam. But, that 400 ft are right at the beginning. Then the hot and exposed road meanders up and down. I once did this hike as a shuttle (it’s a really short shuttle between the trail heads). I told my troop it was all down hill. After all, it certainly looks like it is from the map. I get reminded on every trip about the “all downhill hike”. In cooler weather, it probably is a reasonable choice, but most who have gone both ways prefer the 3 ½ mile trail versus the 4 mile Flume trail. We may see improvements in this trail with the removal of the flume as the road had to go up and down to follow the terrain while the flume could bridge gaps in cuts along the canyon.

The maps at the srdscouts.org website were created using National Geographic Topo software. One map is marked with approximate mile markers. There is a second unmarked map which I use with my scouts. We stop at several points and I ask them to tell me where we are, how high are we, how many miles have we gone, how far have we dropped. I don’t stop them on the way up as it is tiring enough. I have taken Webelos age kids on this hike. Younger can probably make it (my 7 year old daughter did), but the hike is pretty strenuous coming back up. I have encountered snow on this trail in the winter, but it was a fairly unusual year.